At StraightLine Planning, we are committed to providing professional and high-quality town planning documents and architectural drawings to assist our clients in navigating the complexities of local council requirements. This policy outlines our approach to revisions, payments, refunds, and our responsibilities, ensuring transparency and mutual understanding.

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1. Revisions Policy

1. Town Planning Documents:

   • Each set of town planning documents includes one free revision to address amendments or further information requested by the local council.

   • Any subsequent revisions beyond the initial free revision will incur additional charges, quoted based on the scope of the required amendments.

2. Architectural Drawings:

   • Each set of architectural drawings includes one free revision to accommodate changes or further details requested by the local council.

   • Additional revisions beyond the first free revision will incur charges, determined based on the complexity of the requested changes.

2. Payment Terms

• Upfront Payments:
  All payments are required in full before the commencement of work. No payment plans are available. This ensures our team can allocate resources efficiently and begin work promptly.

• Payment Transferability:
  Payments are transferable to a new site/premises address if requested before work has started on the original project. However, once work has commenced, payments are non-transferable.

• Quotes, proposals and invoices are to be read carefully. With each quotation, an important notes section is included stating clearly that any external costs such as site surveys, acoustic reports, structural engineers drawings and so forth are to be payable directly to the external consultant.

• Council fees including application fees are payable directly to the council and will not be shown on a StraightLine Planning invoice. Clients wanting to know ahead of time what fees council will charge are encouraged to contact the council directly prior to engagement.

3. Refund Policy

1. No Refunds for Change of Mind:
   Refunds are not provided if a client changes their mind after payment. This includes changes in project scope, business plans, or decisions to withdraw the project entirely.

2. Exceptional Circumstances:
   Refunds may only be considered in exceptional cases where:

   • No work has commenced on the project.

   • The request is made under extenuating circumstances, approved at the discretion of management.

   • A processing fee of 20% of the total payment will be retained to cover administrative costs for approved refunds.

   • If a site visit has already occurred, its cost will be withheld.

3. Grey Areas in Legislation:
   Town planning often involves interpreting complex and nuanced legislation. While our planners provide professional advice based on existing laws and policies, there may be instances where interpretation differs from council viewpoints. Refunds will not be issued in cases where council disagrees with our interpretation of the legislation.

4. No Guarantee of Application Success:
   StraightLine Planning assists in the preparation of high-quality planning documents and architectural drawings. However, as we do not offer an end-to-end solution for lodging Development Applications (DAs), we are not responsible for the success or failure of an application. Refunds are not provided based on council decisions.

4. Preliminary Planning Reports

1. Purpose and Scope:
   StraightLine Planning offers Preliminary Planning Reports to help clients explore the viability and likelihood of approval for their proposed projects. These reports are based on our interpretation of existing legislation and planning controls, providing an informed starting point for decision-making.

2. Limitations:

   • Preliminary Planning Reports are interpretations of existing legislation and do not constitute a guarantee of approval or council acceptance.

   • Clients are encouraged to consult a range of professionals, including accountants, solicitors, and business consultants, before making decisions about starting a business, leasing, or purchasing premises.

   • Decisions made based solely on a Preliminary Planning Report are at the client’s own risk, and StraightLine Planning cannot be held responsible if advice provided leads to a poor business decision.

3. Liability Disclaimer:
   While we strive to offer accurate and reliable advice, the Preliminary Planning Report is one component of the decision-making process. Clients are strongly advised to consider additional professional advice to ensure a holistic understanding of their project and business plans.

5. Disclaimer on Legislative Interpretation

The role of a town planner is to interpret existing legislation and apply it to specific projects. However:

• Legislative interpretation can involve grey areas, particularly when policies are unclear or subject to council discretion.

• Refunds or compensation will not be issued if council decisions differ from the advice or interpretations provided by StraightLine Planning.

6. Scope of Responsibility

StraightLine Planning provides planning documents and architectural drawings to assist clients in meeting council requirements. However, our scope of work does not include:

• End-to-end management or lodging of Development Applications (DAs).

• Representing clients in council hearings or appeals.

• Guaranteeing the outcome of council assessments.

Clients remain responsible for their own applications and any additional actions required to secure council approval.

7. Acknowledgment

By engaging StraightLine Planning, clients acknowledge and accept the terms outlined in this policy. If you have questions or need further clarification, please contact us prior to making any payment.